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Maryland Department of Natural Resources representatives met with interested parties on April 7 at Green Ridge State Forest to discuss the closings of Off-Road Vehicle (ORV) trails in Green Ridge and Savage River state forests. Both trails are being closed this month to all ATV, bicycle, and equestrian use. These closures stem from the trails' proximity to areas of the forests that are designated as wildlands, which is Maryland's version of a wilderness designation.
The closings were recommended by DNR in response to an Off-Road Vehicle Trail Assessment and Report, which is available at www.dnr.maryland.gov/forests/ovreport.asp
In addition, DNR is preparing for an audit at the end of April that will secure a Sustainable Forest Initiative certification. There is reportedly controversy over whether the SFI is independent or highly controlled by the paper and timber industry. For more information on this, persons may visit www.foestethics.org.
In attendance at the meeting were Steve Koehn, state forester; John F. Wilson, deputy director of public lands policy and planning; Bob Webster, Western Region's forester; Paul Peditto, director of DNR wildlife and Heritage Service; Ken Jolly and Mark Beals, Green Ridge foresters; Donelle Keech, Nature Conservancy; and representatives from both local and statewide ATV trail clubs and the Citizen Rights and Heritage Group.
Wilson assured attendees, "We don't want to close trails to legitimate recreational use," and that he recognizes the economic impact to the community in doing so.
As the DNR maps high conservation value forests, the ORV trails become "an incompatible use," and DNR will only allow activities that enhance the wildlands.
Steve Koehn noted that "ORV usage can be compatible" if trails can be found that don't cause adverse impacts.
ATV participants provided ideas during the meeting.
Randy Beeman, Lonaconing, stated that the economic benefit to Western Maryland could be significant. For example, studies by Marshall University found that West Virginia's Hatfield-McCoy Trail garners $7.1 million of out-of-state revenue for the state. Economic Development and Tourism departments in western Maryland could encourage local benefits, and grants are available from ATV manufacturers to design and build suitable trails. In addition, national organizations such as the Blue Ribbon Trail Association would also be available to assist in the efforts, Beeman noted.
Read the full article here.
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